Platform-led content moderation through the bystander lens: a systematic scoping review

With growing pervasiveness of social media, content moderation has become a subject of interest for stakeholders. Bystanders, defined as ‘neutral’ users who witness inappropriate content without being directly involved, play a crucial role in determining the acceptance and long-term sustainability of platform-led moderation. Despite their importance, our understanding of bystanders’ multifaceted experience when witnessing moderation requires a comprehensive synthesis to move forward. To close this gap, this systematic scoping review examines N = 59 studies to provide an overview over current knowledge, trends, and limitations in the research on bystanders’ experience of platform-led content moderation. Findings suggest a heterogeneous spectrum of theoretical notions and theories and a predominant emphasis on cognitive outcomes, with insufficient attention to the nuanced interplay of content, moderation, contextual, and individual characteristics. We encourage future research to employ innovative methods to explore the full spectrum of bystander experiences and contribute to the development of more inclusive and democratically valuable online platforms.